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Former Dodgers pitcher Bob Welch dies at 57

KPCC staff

In this Oct. 4, 1978 file photo, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bob Welch winds up to throw to the Philadelphia Phillies in a National League playoff game at Philadelphia. Welch, former All-Star pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Oakland Athletics has died. The two-time All-Star and Cy Young award winner was found dead at his home. He was 57.

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Former Los Angeles Dodgers and Oakland Athletics pitcher Bob Welch died Monday. He was 57.

The Dodgers said in a statement Tuesday that the two-time All-Star and Cy Young-winning pitcher died of a heart attack.

Welch, who pitched 17 years in the Major Leagues, is survived by three children — Dylan, Riley and Kelly, according to the statement.

"The Los Angeles Dodgers are saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Welch," said Dodger President and CEO Stan Kasten. "He was one of the greatest competitors to wear the Dodger uniform. Dodger fans will always remember his confrontation with Yankee great Reggie Jackson in Game 2 of the 1978 World Series, when the 21-year-old rookie struck out Jackson to end the game."

Welch was part of three World Series champion teams — twice as a player with the 1981 Dodgers and the 1989 A's, and once as a pitching coach with the 2001 Arizona Diamondbacks, according to the team. He also contributed to four division-winning and two pennant-winning Dodger teams.

Welch's overall record was 211-146, with 1,969 strikeouts and a 3.47 ERA in 3,092 innings, according to the team. He was the last pitcher to win at least 25 games in a single season, coming in at 27 in 1990 with the A's.

The team notes that Welch turned to coaching and community work after retiring in 1994.

Funeral services are pending.

MLB.com has a clip showing Welch, then a rookie Dodger, striking out Reggie Jackson in a nine-pitch at bat that led his team to victory in Game 2 of the 1978 World Series.